New York Will Solve the Bedbug Crisis by Speaking Very Sternly to the Bedbugs

New York Will Solve the Bedbug Crisis by Speaking Very Sternly to the Bedbugs

On Wednesday afternoon, New York officials held a press conference to announce the city's concerted, coordinated, multi-agency crackdown on the ongoing problem of bedbug infestation. Christine Quinn, the speaker of the City Council, offered strong words for an itchy metropolis, the New York Times reported:

"To bedbugs in the city of New York," Ms. Quinn shouted from the steps of City Hall, "Drop dead. Your days are over, they’re numbered, we’re not going to take it anymore, we’re sick and tired."

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Beginning tomorrow, the city will send teams of bedbug-control officers door to door throughout the five boroughs, accompanied by bedbug-sniffing dogs, with fumigation teams following on their heels, and—

Oh, sorry, Speaker Quinn got me a little too exercised, and I made that whole plan up. What is the city really going to do about the bedbugs, according to today's
declaration of war
and its promise of "strong action"?

Recommendation 1.1: Take a proactive approach to public education and awareness.